GWL intensifies pipeline repairs to reduce water losses in Accra, Tema

Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has intensified efforts to repair aging transmission pipelines from the Kpong Water Treatment Plant to curb massive water losses that continue to affect supply to residents in Tema and parts of Accra East. The intervention forms part of measures by the company to reduce non-revenue water, improve operational efficiency and stabilise water supply to heavily populated urban communities. Mr Adam Mutawakilu, Managing Director of GWL, disclosed this during an inspection visit to sections of Kpong transmission line and the company's Central Workshop where new replacement pipes are being fabricated for installation.

Investigations conducted by the new management revealed that water theft and leakages on major transmission lines were the two principal causes of the country's high non-revenue water levels. GWL's 2024 financial statement recorded non-revenue water at 52.2 per cent, meaning more than half of the water produced could not be accounted for due to leakages, illegal connections and unmetered usage. The situation was particularly severe in the Tema and Accra West operational regions, where investigations identified extensive leakages on the over 70-year-old 21-inch steel transmission line transporting treated water from Kpong to Tema. Almost about 40 per cent of the water produced from Kpong gets lost through leakages before it reaches Tema. The current repair works involved fabricating and replacing damaged sections of 21-inch and 42-inch transmission pipes at the GWL Central Workshop. About GH₵5 million had already been spent on fabrication works, with additional funds expected to be released to accelerate the repairs.

All critical repair works are expected to be completed within 3 months to restore pipeline integrity and reduce water losses. Improved pipeline conditions would also support ongoing efforts to replace all five pumps at the Kpong Water Treatment Plant. The workshop is currently fabricating 180 metres of **2